Chapter 21

« …Take your medicine. »

« …No. »

Misao rolled her eyes for the last time. She absolutely loved Georgius's presence, but everytime they were alone together, Misao was confronted to a real problem. Georgius's curse. She looked around her. Even if they were sat on some stabs in the yard and enjoyed the rather nice weather, Misao was always forced to make him take his medicine. She thought it would make him better but he always stubbornly refused to take it. As for her Kusakabe blood…he refused to take it no matter what. That was supposed to at least easy his curse but he thought it was useless. Misao sighed.

"Georgius-sama…How many times must I tell it to you? Stop playing the child."

Georgius weakly smiled to her. "Thanks for your care, Misao."

"Don't thank me." Misao stretched the arm holding the medicine in her hand toward him. "Why do you always refuse to take it?"

"…That's useless…It doesn't make anything to me. You know it very well, Misao."

"…Maybe you should go to see Sophia and…" Misao tried to say but Georgius cut her off by putting his hand on her hand.

"That's okay…Misao. You know I'm prepared to it."

Misao took a grave look, already knowing what he meant by "prepared to it"…She just shivered then yelled at him.

"I forbid you to say this."

Georgius smiled then held her hand tighter, apparently thankful for what she did to him.

"…Misao…I thought earlier…"

"…What?"

Misao took a suspicious look. He cleared his throat.

"You said you want to trip?"

"…No." Misao didn't let him finish his sentence. She stood up in front of him. "Don't tell it."

"…I think I must apologize to you…For not having let you freed as you wanted…"

"I said "don't tell it"!" Misao yelled at him, clenching her fists. She let the medicine drop on the ground. "If I must trip…I would do it with you."

"You're so naïve…You shouldn't…" Georgius shrugged, sadly smiling. "I'm so sorry…I prevented you to live your own life when you met me…"

Misao shook her head. That was such a pain to hear this thing like that. She frowned, definitely upset.

"You didn't take me…I'm the one who followed you."

"Maybe…" Georgius shivered, trying to ignore his pain inside his heart. "…Maybe we should never have…met each other…"

"…" Misao came closer to him then caught his arm. "…Don't say…things like that." Her voice became to crack up while she gripped his arm and held it tighter.

"But…"

"I would have preferred to die…instead of never having the chance to meet you. I chose this life and I take it. So…" Misao then woke up. She picked up the medicine which was on the ground then turned toward him, with a slight smile on her face.

"…I love you, Georgius. You know it. You're very important to me…as well as others. I don't have any regret."

"…Surely." Georgius just said, nodding. Misao didn't express it but she would have liked him to answer to her back. He never said once "I love you" openly since the time where they met in London. She thought it would come with time…But it didn't come. Misao then sighed.

"I will see Sophia and I'm going to tell to her if she couldn't give you another thing to help you…"

"…Misao…" Georgius called her before she left. Misao turned back.

"…Yes?"

"…I wouldn't resent you if you left."

"…I'm going to see Sophia." Misao just answered before leaving. Georgius just watched leaving with a light smile on his face. He then sighed, talking to himself with his thoughts.

"…I would like to be as stronger as you are…Misao."

When Misao headed for the laboratory, she was surprised to see Benedictus before the door of the laboratory which was closed. He crossed his arms, and Misao guessed he waited for a long time. She hesitated, a bit afraid of his reaction, but finally she awkwardly smiled to him:

"…What are you doing here?"

Benedictus glanced at her half-heartedly. Then finally he let his arms fall down.

"Even there, you are following me? Why don't you leave me alone?"

"…I just wanted to see Sophia for…" She paused, hesitating. "…Georgius-sama's medicine."

Benedictus stayed silent to this but finally closed his eyes, pensive. "…I see."

"And what about you…?" She asked. As Benedictus just shrugged as for response, she tried to joke. "…Will you destroy her laboratory again?"

"…" Benedictus didn't smile and didn't react when Misao leaned against the wall, next to him. "...what is Sophia doing?"

However as long as she said this sentence, both she and Benedictus heard some steps coming from the corridor and turned toward the direction of these sounds. Benedictus recognized Sophia's steps with her spikes and moved forward to see finally the mad scientist's shape "That's time…"

However, Sophia unexpectedly didn't head for them, where her laboratory was. Instead, she turned the corner of the corridor to head for an unknown way. Benedictus was about to chase after her but Misao held his hand.

"What are you doing?"

"Guess…I thought Georgius-sama asked us to observe…"

"…Do you want to spy on Sophia?" Misao glared at him, not thrilled with that idea. She frowned.

"That's why you came there?"

"If you don't want to follow me…I don't mind. I will be even better." Benedictus moved away a bit to make Misao release his arm. Then he headed quickly for the direction that Sophia took earlier, with a quiet step as he was accustomed to do. Seeing him to do, Misao raised one eyebrow, wondering if he already did something like it before. However she didn't care then after a while, she ended up by following him a bit unwillingly.

However, more they moved forward, more they found Sophia strange. She actually headed for a door which leaded to a long corridor, which directly leaded to…the Underground Library of Index, where Hieronymus of the Holy Pen stayed hidden from everyone. Benedictus wondered why a kind of witch like Sophia would come to visit someone like him. As Misao made some noise behind him, he stopped her with his arm.

"…What's happening…?"

"Sssh." Benedictus glared at her. He then opened a little the door of the library. From where he was he could see two shapes. He could recognize barely Sophia but didn't perceive the other very well. That's surely because Hieronymus had the rules to not showing his face. But it didn't bother Benedictus who focused his look on Sophia and could barely hear Sophia.

"…That's…"

Misao began to think that was ridiculous and frowned, wondering why she was there. She knew that was because of the Georgius's mission but…Benedictus just avoided her then listened to Sophia very attentively.

"…Another?"

Sophia crossed her eyes. She didn't seem very happy. Then she raised her voice:

"…Another, you said?..."

Benedictus frowned then quietly came closer to the door. Even if he knew that was rather risked, he just dared to venture a glance just to see Sophia moving away and coming back to face Hieronymus.

"…Sheesh that Johanna…so annoying…"

Another voice began to speak. That's a loud and grave voice, which shivered both Benedictus and Misao. These two stayed unmoving but kept listening.

"What did you expect of her? You forgot sometimes Johanna is rather…unique…in many ways."

Sophia rolled her eyes then moved her spikes toward the door. Benedictus seeing that moved back then put a hand in front of Misao to imitate him. However Sophia didn't care then frowned.

"Maybe…but even monsters can have some break sometimes…I'm myself a monster, I know it very well."

"…" Hieronymus seemed to pause. Then he spoke again.

"I don't even know myself what is Johanna. We would never know if she's a human or a monster like you are, Sophia Measley."

"…" Sophia began to chuckle with her creepy laugh, as if she mocked him. Misao and Benedictus glanced at each other without understanding.

"I'm not a simple monster…I'm a mad scientist before everything."

Hieronymus sighed. Then he asked her:

"Probably…By the way, I didn't still understand why you came here to see me. Why did you want to talk to me?"

Sophia just shrugged a bit bored.

"That's something which really bother me to come there…In that dark place, enclosed by all these books of magic spell. That's how someone could live there without ever going out." She then added:

"Anyone would become mad…except you, Hieronymus."

"You should think carefully before confronting me, Sophia. I'm not as inoffensive as you think."

Hieronymus took a rather threatening yet cold tone toward Sophia. Benedictus moved away again, really began to freak out by that tone.

"That's true, Hieronymus." Sophia smirked again. "That's why you are probably as closer as Johanna."

A silence passed. Hieronymus then spoke again:

"…That's why you came here? In order to talk about my relationship I've got with her? Or do you plan something?"

Sophia sighed.

"What such distrust! I would never think about it. That's still good to learn about each other, Hieronymus as you don't show your own face to me. By the way, do you know the last thing about Johanna?"

"…As long as I'm working under Johanna, I'm not ready to side with a witch, Sophia." He paused. "However, I would like to know."

"…Tehhe." Sophia just laughed again. She seemed very insane there, from Benedictus's eyes. However she responded:

"…A certain theory she has."

"That's not the first time you know." Hieronymus seemed to sigh. However Sophia came closer to him.

"Except that theory now involves others people, not just Johanna alone. Before this, she never involved anybody with…her mysteries." She sighed, a bit upset.

"What do you mean?" Hieronymus asked her.

Sophia crossed her arms. Benedictus smirked. He was once more right about it. They had something.

"…Now people who died for any reason or other would serve to her theory…That's the way she thinks."

"…Is that so? Or are you tell me some lies?"

Hieronymus seemed suspicious about Sophia but it didn't bother her then went on.

"I said the truth, Hieronymus. Furthermore, we didn't only use human people who died in mission or something else…"

"…what?" Hieronymus repeated. Sophia took a mysterious look.

"…She also used nohumans as well…"

That sentence made Benedictus stop. He just stared at them, not believing in they said. Sophia sighed.

"She made an experience with a nonhuman… Or rather a puppet from Index." Sophia revealed, half-hearted.

Benedictus opened his mouth, completely astonished. He didn't why but…he had a bad feeling about it…Misao frowned too, wondering what she talked about. Sophia sighed.

"Everyone is more or less a puppet to Johanna. But that was a puppet in every sense. That experience leaded a little doll to death…"

"A doll?"

Benedictus goggled, his front covered by sweat. He clenched his fists, trying to calm him down.

"…I understand now. You used these kinds of weapons of Index, which finally became your guinea pigs?"

Misao goggled now herself. When she saw Benedictus's look, she finally got what they meant. She just stayed unmoving, stunned.

"…What does it matter after all? They aren't even human and they are just prototypes to the ultimate weapon of Index. I just feel sorry for this little girl…She didn't deserve it after all."

"…I guess that's out of your character to feel compassion for others, Sophia?" Hieronymus said calmly. Sophia shrugged.

"Probably…but after all, I don't care of it. I would have more fun if they had been human…"

"…" Hieronymus paused before unexpectedly saying.

"…You shouldn't talk about this…in presence of others, Sophia."

Sophia just gave a inquisitive look without understanding that old man.

"What?"

"…!"

Misao to this sentence unexpectedly ended up by going out then entering in the library, much to Benedictus and Sophia's surprise. She seemed very angry and upset according to her face.

She faced Sophia, glaring at her with a very fierce look. Benedictus seeing it ended up by going out as well and penetrated in the library. Sophia was a bit surprised but stayed impassive however.

"…You two…"

She glanced behind her. Hieronymus once again disappeared from there. That was always the same thing with that boring old man. She rolled her eyes then glared at Misao.

"…What? Don't you know how talking?" Sophia said with a despising look on her face. Misao growled.

"…What did you say earlier?"

"…I've nothing to tell to you." Sophia was about to head for door but Misao stood in her way. Sophia took an angry look on her face.

"Get out of my way!"

"No!" Misao came closer to her, with a real threatening look. A look which would terrify everyone…even Benedictus seemed a bit scared by it. Sophia smirked cruelly.

"I suggest you to not confronting me."

"Just answer to my question. What did you talked earlier about?" Her hand swayed on her weapon. Sophia crossed her arms.

"What about?"

"You said Johanna used people for her own theory!" Misao yelled at her. She stepped toward her. "What did you mean? Did you say you killed people?"

"…That's Georgius who asked you to spy on me?" Sophia glanced at Benedictus who stayed aside. He didn't react but just observed the scene. For Sophia…he seemed really broken for a nonhuman.

"It doesn't involve Georgius." Misao glared at her again. "ANSWER TO ME!"

"Shut up, old woman." Sophia sighed, bored.

"…Did you mean…" Misao paused, taking some breath again. "…Did you mean you killed Scholastica…the nonhuman you talked earlier about?"

Benedictus became pale to this. He just watched Sophia's reaction. Then she understood and made a crooked smile.

"I see…That's because of it." Sophia chuckled. She stayed silent during some moments before happily cracking up laughing. Misao put an arm before Benedictus to make him move back.

When she finished, she just glanced at them with a slight yet sarcastic look.

"…Yes. Somehow or other I killed her…"

"…" Benedictus opened his mouth in order to say anything but…no sound came out from his mouth. He seemed shivering, under emotion.

"YOU BITCH!" Misao moved forward her then grappled her fiercely. Sophia looked into her eyes. They burnt with anger. A sensation she really liked…and was delighted with.

"That feels so good…all this hatred and anger…"

"…You are a monster…"

Sophia just shrugged, avoiding her grip.

"Johanna wanted to try the theory about entering in contact with her master, God… Her only love. How sad…So she began to think about sending some souls from earth to him in order to check this theory and seeing if he could respond to her…by any way or other."

"…" Misao opened her mouth…Sophia shrugged again.

"The fate wanted Scholastica to be part of it…Nothing can be helped about it…"

Benedictus shivered again…He knew it. He expected it when she talked about "nonhuman". Then he moved back then fell to his kneels…Misao glanced at him. He looked down but his face was hidden by his hair. Misao then released Sophia in order to go to check him.

"Benedictus…are you okay?"

"…" He didn't answer…He just shivered under Misao's contact. Sophia heartlessly watched them.

"Poor things…"

"SHUT UP!" Misao yelled at her with all the hatred she had for this woman. She stood up. "WHY DID YOU DO THIS?"

"…For researches." Sophia just answered.

"DID YOU DO THIS WITHOUT THINKING ABOUT IT? YOU DIDN'T THINK IF THAT WAS WRONG OR RIGHT? YOU JUST DID IT!" Misao came closer to face her. "YOU KILLED A GIRL WHO DID NOTHING WRONG! YOU BITCH! YOU MONSTER! JUST DIE!"

"…" Sophia became now downright angered by Misao's words then without any others thoughts, spat on.

"Who do you think you are?" She glanced at Benedictus who stayed on the ground. "You two are as guilty as I am! I find you rather impertinent to tell me I'm the monster while you are the two ones who convinced her to take that body." She growled, staring at Benedictus again. "You're right to be like that, at kneels and ashamed. You sent your own sister to death after all."

"…" Misao glanced at Benedictus and could see a tear falling on the floor. He ended up by saying, with a cracked voice:

"…You're…wrong…I never wanted that…"

"Poor thing…" Sophia looked down on him. However before she could say anything else, Misao punched her right in the face, making the scientist fall on the ground under the shock. Misao faced her.

"…You should go to hell." Misao just said with a cold tone. Sophia smirked again, avoiding the slight pain on her lips.

"How cute…"

She then stood up and without any others word…she punched Misao back on the face. Misao didn't expect this at all then fell on the ground and Sophia didn't leave her the time to stand up again and gripped her by her arms fiercely. She yelled at her.

"WHO ALLOWED YOU TO PUNCH ME? YOU OLD WHORE!"

"…" Misao tried to take her sword out but Sophia didn't leave the time neither and pushed in her arms with some dark and black scratches, making Misao scream in pain. Then Sophia spat her.

"YOU ARE SO PATHETIC! JUST LOOK AT YOURSELF! YOU'RE DISGUSTING! YOU CAN'T EVEN FACE ME! JUST PITIFUL!"

"…" Misao screamed in pain again and this time, Benedictus stood up then headed quickly for them, before pushing forcibly Sophia away from Misao without any resistance. Sophia moved back then glared at him.

"YOU WANT TO JOIN HER?"

"…That's useless. Just…useless…" Benedictus just said before turning back then leaving the library without any other word. Misao stood up.

"Benedictus!" Misao called him behind but he didn't react and disappeared. Misao called him again and glared at Sophia again. She then began to head for the door to chase after him but Sophia called her before she left:

"He…Misao."

"…" Misao turned back toward her, silently.

"I'm maybe a monster but at least, I recognize it. What did you expect of?"

"…" Misao didn't answer then chased after Benedictus, calling out his name again.